Vascular Plants
We have 15 endangered vascular plants in Andover. In Massachusetts, 1/2 of the endangered species are plants. Most of the plants are endangered due to habitat loss and destruction, and invasive species.
They are important because they provide habitat and food sources for other species, as well as being critical to our own survival as a species.
Dwarf Mistletoe
Latin name: Arceuthobium pusillum
Status: Special Concern
Habitat Needs: Acidic wetlands, bogs and swamps
Why is this species threatened with extinction? Parasites and habitat loss
Why is this species so important to save? They can be parasites that affect tree growth but can also be food for animals.
Most Recent Observation: 1903
Picture Credits:
https://www.fireflyforest.com/flowers/3465/arceuthobium-vaginatum-pineland-dwarf-mistletoe/
Purple Needlegrass
Latin name: Aristida purpurascens
Status: Threatened
Habitat Needs: Open sandy habitats (prairies, heathlands, sandplain grasslands),
Why is this species threatened with extinction? Human reduction of open areas
Why is this species so important to save? They are useful for dry land restoration, range improvement, and erosion control.
Most Recent Observation: 1903
Picture Credits:
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/165659-Nassella-pulchra
Purple Milkweed
Latin name: Asclepias purpurascens
Status: Endangered
Habitat Needs: Dry, open road banks, woodland borders, vernal pools
Why is this species threatened with extinction? Reduction of light, urbanization, and deer browsing
Why is this species so important to save? They are the only plant on which monarch butterflies lay their eggs and they attract pollinators with their distinctive flowers.
Most Recent Observation: 1878
Picture Credits:
https://www.joyfulbutterfly.com/product/purple-milkweed-asclepias-purpurascens-seeds/
Pickering's Reedgrass
Latin name: Calamagrostis pickeringii
Status: Endangered
Habitat Needs: Open moist sites, mid to high elevation, lowland bogs, pond shores
Why is this species threatened with extinction? Alteration of water quality and conditions, reduction of light and competing species
Why is this species so important to save? They grow in wetlands and on the shore of rivers, and help with soil erosion.
Most Recent Observation: 1913
Picture Credits:
https://www.inaturalist.org/guide_taxa/458294
Pale Green Orchid
Latin name: Platanthera flava var. herbiola
Status: Threatened
Habitat Needs: Rich, moderately acidic wet areas subject to seepage and water level fluctuation
Why is this species threatened with extinction? Urban development, invasive species
Why is this species so important to save? They are attractive to specific pollinators, and are sensitive to water quality so if they are dying its an indicator that the water quality is poor.
Most Recent Observation: 1903
Picture Credits:
https://fineartamerica.com/featured/pale-green-orchid-blanketed-in-dew-drops-dejavu-designs.html
Plymouth Gentian
Latin name: Sabatia kennedyana
Status: Special Concern
Habitat Needs: Seasonally wet, sandy soil of low-nutrient, acidic, coastal plain pond shores
Why is this species threatened with extinction? change in the hydrologic regime, water quality,or soil integrity of the coastal plain, requires full sun
Why is this species so important to save? They are helpful to camouflaging predators, important for the biodiversity of their wetland habitat, and their flowers attract native pollinators.
Most Recent Observation: 2006
Picture Credits:
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=SAKE
Swamp Oats
Latin name: Sphenopholis pensylvanica
Status: Threatened
Habitat Needs: Acidic, cool, springy seepage areas, woodlands
Why is this species threatened with extinction? Invasive species
Why is this species so important to save? They are an important part of the biodiversity of their habitats.
Most Recent Observation: 1903
Picture Credits:
https://wingedbeauty.com/tag/piemont-swamp-oats-you-have-never-seen/
Spiked False Oats
Latin name: Trisetum spicatum
Status: Endangered
Habitat Needs: Open sun, rocky summits, bare areas
Why is this species threatened with extinction? Reduction of light, heavy trail use, maintenance activities, alteration of water levels and flood regimes.
Why is this species so important to save? They are important to prevent soil erosion and their seeds provide food for meadow and forest animals.
Most Recent Observation: 1904
Picture Credits:
http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMPOA690C0
American Waterwort
Latin name: Elatine americana
Status: Endangered
Habitat Needs: Open muddy shores of ponds/tidal rivers/tributaries
Why is this species threatened with extinction? Alteration of habitat and invasive species
Why is this species so important to save? This species helps prevent soil erosion along the coasts of ponds and lakes, and by maintaining its population one can maintain the biodiversity of an ecosystem.
Most Recent Observation: 2002
Picture Credits:
https://guides.nynhp.org/american-waterwort/
Philadelphia Panic-grass
Latin name: Panicum philadelphicum ssp. philadelphicum
Status: Special concern
Habitat Needs: Open full sun, seasonal flooded sands, acidic wetlands
Why is this species threatened with extinction? Reduction of light, alteration of hydraulic regimes, and overgrowth of competing species
Why is this species so important to save? They are important sources of food to various insects, birds, and mammals, including the larvae of various moths.
Most Recent Observation: 1885
Picture Credits:
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/166093-Panicum-philadelphicum
American Bittersweet
Latin name: Celastrus scandens
Status: Threatened
Habitat Needs: Patchy light, woodland edges
Why is this species threatened with extinction? Collection for wreaths and invasive species
Why is this species so important to save? Their fruit provides winter food for birds and mammals, as well as providing shelter for wildlife. Their twisting vines help prevent soil erosion.
Most Recent Observation: 1874
Picture Credits:
https://www.coldstreamfarm.net/product/american-bittersweet-celastrus-scandens/
Resupinate Bladderwort
Latin name: Utricularia resupinata
Status: Threatened
Habitat Needs: Sandy bottomed ponds, mud
Why is this species threatened with extinction? Heavy recreational use in habitat
Why is this species so important to save? They are carnivorous plants that eat harmful insect larvae.
Most Recent Observation: Historic
Picture Credits:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/150919437@N06/31324438354
Adder's-tongue Fern
Latin name: Ophioglossum pusillum
Status: Threatened
Habitat Needs: Boggy meadows, acidic fens, marshy borders, moist woodland
Why is this species threatened with extinction? Reduction of light, maintenance activities and invasive species
Why is this species so important to save? Their presence indicates that a habitat is healthy and this plant was historically used in making medicines.
Most Recent Observation: 1902
Picture Credits:
https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/ferns-and-horsetails/adders-tongue-fern
New England Blazing Star
Latin name: Liatris scariosa var. novae-angliae
Status: Special Concern
Habitat Needs: Dry soil, wildflower fields
Why is this species threatened with extinction? The moths that pollinate this species are also threatened, so the numbers of plants are decreasing.
Why is this species so important to save? Threatened pollinators (bees, moths, butterflies) use native wildflowers to as their own food sources. Monarch butterflies, in particular depend on Blazing Stars for nectar that allows them to make their yearly migration to Mexico.
Most Recent Observation: 2017
Picture Credits:
https://www.nantucketconservation.org/whats-new-in-nature-new-england-blazing-star/
Slender Cottongrass
Latin name: Eriophorum gracile
Status: Threatened
Habitat Needs: Acidic bogs and ferns and wetlands
Why is this species threatened with extinction?Recreational use on habitat, urbanization and hydraulic alterations
Why is this species so important to save? They are a host for caterpillars about to turn into butterflies and provide food for many herbivores.
Most Recent Observation: 1958
Picture Credits:
https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/grass-sedge-rush/slender-cottongrass